Nothing succeeds like success. After winning the first rank in Northern California and fifth position in the nation on the United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA) Web site last year, the Union City Dynasty Girls Softball team added another feather to its cap this summer. The girls played a perfect game, bringing home the 14A Bronze Bracket Championship Trophy.

"In July the team was invited and traveled all the way to Park City, Utah, to play in one of the biggest and beautiful venues girls fast pitch has to offer," said Manager Fernando Sanchez, who is also the founder of the team and a member of the James Logan girl's softball coaching staff. The Triple Crown World Series, hosted by Park City, Utah was held from July 13-18.

"All the girls came home with large beautiful medals ... We were one of the only three teams (of 56 total) to come home with a championship," said Sanchez. "There was a gold bracket, a silver bracket, and a bronze bracket, which we won against another Nor-Cal team, The Nor-Cal Legends.

"We ended up playing nine games in the tournament with a record of five wins and four losses. It came down to playing the Nor Cal Legends three times on July 18 to win the championship. We won three straight playoff games to reach the finale and now had to be beaten twice in the championship game," Sanchez continued. "They beat us in the first game of the championship round, which was a very exciting game. Then we beat them the second time around ending the game with an impressive 1-6-3 double play to win the Bronze Bracket Championship."

Based in Union City, the talented team is a 14U-A girls elite fast pitch softball program. In just four years the team has come a long way. Adept in fine skills of playing competitive softball, the team is armed with discipline, dedication and good sportsmanship. They travel all around the greater Bay Area, to Central Valley and every softball venue in between, participating in tournaments and competing against other elite softball teams in their division.

Registered with both the USSSA and the ASA Girls Fast Pitch Softball associations, the team won the "Ceres Sizzle Mid Summer Classic" Championship in its first tournament. With coaches Tony Lombardi and Joe Ortiz, they have turned this team into one of the best in the area.

A record of 110-66-4 gives them a winning percentage of .600, winning seven championships and three runner-up championships in the past four years.

"Since coming back from the World Series in Park City, Utah, we just one another first place championship in a 16-under tournament in Hayward," noted Sanchez.

"Our team practices hard every week. Not too many teams in this area have stayed together as long as these girls have; that is why they play so well, Sanchez said. "We also owe the success of the team to Tony Lombardi, Joe Ortiz and the parents of the girls."

The Union City Dynasty, a nonprofit group, will be starting a 14-under "A" team in January. "We are planning to go to Park City, Utah, for the World Series next year, so any sponsors or contributions are very much needed and appreciated," said Sanchez.